Shock absorber



July 25, 1944. c. SAURER 2,354,428

SHOCK ABSORBER Filed Dec. 28, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR' Sauna I BY '6 ATTORN EYS c. SAURER 2,354,428

SHOCK ABSORBER Filed Dec. 28', 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 R O T N E V m ATTORNEYS July 25, 1944.

July 25, 1944. c. SAURER SHOCK ABSORBER FiledDec. 2a, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENFOR VIII/I'll 7 A MM.

Curt Santa:

ATTO R N EYS July 25, 1944. c. SAURER 2,354,428

SHOCK ABSORBER- Filed Dec. 28, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 """'f" I 8 M 7 4 6 r 4 mmmm I NVENTOI Q end 504ml? Q3 xj ATTORNEYS ure 2;

Patented July 25,

' sno'cx ansoanan Curt Sau rersA kron, out; assis nor to ree Fire stone Tire 8; Rubber Company, Akron, .Ohio, a

corporation ofQhio, a d

December 2;; 1m, Serial No. 372,949

Application I I This invention relates to shock absorbersfsuch ascommonly are used on a motor-vehicle'between the frame and running gear thereof to cushion universal pivotal connectionwith the free end of said lever arm. Said universal pivotal connection comprises a substantially spherical body of the bound and rebou'ndfof the said frame when the vehicle is traveling over an uneven roadway,

and more especially the invention relates to J shock absorbers of the 'so-cal'led friction type.-

The chief objects of the invention are .to provide an improved shock absorber of the'character mentioned; to provide a friction shock absorber that'will function satisfactorily for the life of the rubber 26 that encloses a terminal ball 21 formed on the upper'end of link 25, said rubber body being tightly encased in' a generally spherical shaped hollow shell or housing 28 formed intesrally with the free end portion of the lever arm 24. The lower end portion of the link 25 vehicle; that will not require lubrication; that is tightly sealed against dirt and grit; that will supply uniform friction at all temperatures from -30 to +120; that will supply uniform friction throughout all positionsthat it assumes during operation; and that is relatively cheap to manuiacture. Other objects will be manifest as the description proceeds. l-

f the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is'a side elevation of a shock absorber constituting one embodiment of the invention; 1

Figure 2 is a plan view thereof;

Figure 3 is a section on theline 3- 3. f Fig- Figure 4 is a section on theline'l-J of Figoflthe draw 35 v V The inner circumferential marginsofthe respecare,in abutting relation and are permanently operatively interposed between the frame of a:

vehicle, indicated at 20, and the running gear of I the vehicle, indicated at 2|, it being understood that said frame and running gear normally move extends through an aperture 29 in, the running gear-structure 2|, and through cylindrical rubber cushion blocks 30, 30 disposed above and be low said aperture and within thesame. 'Cor-' rugated washers 3|,- 3| are mounted upon the re- .mote faces of the cushion blocks 30, thelatter being under some compressive stress by being.

confined between a flange 32 on the link that abuts the upper washer SI and a nut 33 set up against the lower washer II. The arrangement is such that the link 25 may tilt angularly, relatively of the running gear element 2 I, which tilting movement is yieldingly opposed by the rubber blocks 30.

a -Th'e shock absorber proper comprises anianjnular outer shell comprising a pair of, annular, co-axial side plates 35, 35 that are dished or concave-convex in transverse section with their concave sides'in confronting relation to provide an annular cavity. Each side plate is formed I with a radial peripheral flange 36, which flanges secured to each other, preferably b welding at their edges, as shown at 31, Figure 4. It is to the abutted flanges 36 that the bracket 22 is'fbolted.

tive side -;plates 35 are bent axially outwardly away from each-other so as to provide circumferrelatively of each other due to uneven roadways,

-, which relative movement is cushioned by the usual springs (not shown). In general, the lmproved shock absorber comprises relatively movable parts, and friction material interposed between said par'ts for'the purpose of opposing rela,-'

'tive movement "therebetween. Oneof said relatively movable parts isattached to the frame -2 l| by means of a'bracket 22 that is welded or otherwise' fixedly secured to said frame, the shockabsorber part being removably attached to'said bracket by bolts or the like 23, 23. The other relatively movable structure of the shock absorber is connectedto the running gear 2i through the 1 diameter thar'l {the latter.- The discs 40 fareential flanges, 38;, Disposed between theside plates .35 of thesaid outer shell is an inner structure comprising a pairof circular discs or plates All, thatarefdisposed "concentrically of said outer shell, and are of somewhat smaller outside formed with concavoeconvex peripheral. portions that arecon'centric'with the axis of theshock absorber and are-disposed within the concave, convex region of the outer discs 35 in uniformly spaced relation-thereto, the concave faces of said discs being in confronting relation so as to define .an annular; recess or compartment 4l. Mounted in the latter is an annular ring ofrubber42 that normally is maintained under compressive stress,

, and which normally urges the discs 40 apart from agency of a lever arm 24, and a link 25 having 5 each otherfora purpose presently to"' be""exdished portions being flush with the plane of plalned. The discs 40 are axially dished, andare arranged with the concave faces of the dished portions in confronting relation, the dished portions extending axially outwardly through the central openings in the plate 33 defined by the flanges 38, .the outermost faces of the respecttige e edges of the respective flanges 38.

Vulcanized to the outer lateral face of each disc 40 is an annular layer of resilient rubber composition 44, which layer extends from the perim -v eter of the disc to the central dished portion".

tures' of from minus to plus 120', and willcontinue to lubricate the friction material during the life of the shock absorber. As is clearly shown in Figure 4, the friction facings 48 are in contact with the confronting faces of the respective outer plates from the perimeter of the concavo-convex portions of the latter to the inner circumferential flanges 38 thereof. Thearrangement is such that the expansive force of the normally compressed rubber ring 42, which urges the discs 40 away from each other, serves to hold the friction facings 4| in contactwith the surfaces of the side plates 3! under determinate pressure at all times. The outer lateral face of each friction-faced layer 44 is formed with a shallow recess 44 that is concentric with the axis of the shock absorber and adapted to retain a supply of the graphite-oil lubricant for future use. The lubricated friction material will not squeak while sliding over metal, and it hasno "break away" action such as 0 ins in other friction materials, such as brake g.

movement of the cooperating elements of the shock absorber to the extent of 60 degrees. Greater shocks, which would move the elements relatively through a greater angle, are more strongly opposed and to this end bumper means is provided. Said bum'per means comprises a pair of rubber blocks 50, that are bonded to respectivemetal plates ill, the latter being in abutting relation and mounted upon the lever arm 24, between the fork-portions 24a thereof. The flanges 36 of the side plates 35 are extendedradially on the same side of the shock absorber as the lever arm 14, above and below the latter, and are formed with laterally extending ears 53, 53. The ears are disposed in the path of movement of the rubber blocks 50, and constitute abutments against which the latter impinge when relative movement between the frame 20 and running gear II is excessive. The cars 53 are disposed radially of the axis of the shock absorber, as are the faces of the blocks 50 that confront said ears, whereby said blocks and ears will be flush against each other whenever they come into engagement. Thus excessive shocks such as would turn the relatively movable elements of the shock absorber through a greater angle than about degrees flrst are frictionally opposed by the movement of the friction material 45 over the inner surfaces of the plates 35, and then are strongly opposed by the engagement of a rubber bumper ll with a pair of abutment ears SI.

The improved shock absorber is self lubricating, it provides uniform friction for opposing all shocks incidental to normal driving, and it achieves the other advantages set forth in the foregoing statement of objects. The expansion of the rubber ring 42 takes up any wear upon the friction material 45 so that good contact always The structure comprising the discs 40 with friction-faced rubber layers 44 thereon is movable angularly, relatively of the side plates 3!- 7 about the axis of the shock absorber, and to this endfthe saidvdiscs 40 are fixedly connected to the lever arm 24. As is best shown in Figure 2,

the -ne'eris a forked or divided structure comprising longitudinally extending portions 24a,

24a that are spread apart so as to straddle the shock absorber proper, the rear ends or hub portions of said fork portions 24a being permanently secured to the outwardly presented faces of the dished portions of discs 40, preferably by being spot welded thereto. Said hub portions of the lever arm forks 24a are formed with respective concavo-convex beads 48 that are concentric with the axis of the shock absorber, the concave faces of said beads confronting the edges of-the flanges 38 of the side plates 35. Confined between the edges of flanges -84 and the concave faces of beads 48 are respective rubber gaskets 4!, the function of which is to prevent dirt and grit from entering the shock absorber where it might impair the operation thereof. The arrangement is such that the beads 4! and/or flanges 38 may move relatively of the gaskets 4! during operation of the shock absorber.

The improved shock absorber operates by filetion to absorb shocks incidental to all normal is maintained between the latter and the cooperatingfaces of the side plates 35.

In the modified embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 6' of the drawings, the shock absorber proper comprises a pairof peripherally united side plates 58, 58 that are substantially identical to the side plates 35 of the previously described embodiment, a pair of circular discs 4O, 40 that are identical with the discs previously described, and a ring of rubber 42 mounted in the recess 4| located between the confronting faces of the discs 40. Vulcanized to the outer lateral face of each disc 40 is an annular layer of resilient rubber composition 44, which layer extends from the perimeter of the disc to the outermost portion of the central dished portion thereof, but, not onto the latter, said rubber layer hav-' ing a facing of lubricated friction material 45 vulcanized thereto. The friction facing of the discs 40 is urged against the confronting faces of the lateral plates 58in the same manner as in the previously described embodiment, and supplementing the expansive force of the ring 42 as a means for urging the discs 40 apart from each other is a tubular block of rubber I that is positioned between the dished portions of the plates 40. at the axis of the shock absorber.

The structure comprising the discs 4| with friction-faced rubber layers 44 thereon is movable angularly relatively of the side plates is about the axis of the shock absorber, and to this end a lever arm such as the lever arm 24 previously described is provided. Said lever arm at one end is bifurcated or forked, the fork-portions l I II of which straddle the shock absorber proper and have their hub portions permanently secured driving, which shocks may eflect relative 8 811 to the outwardly presented faces of the axial 'tures and the metal is obtained.

u. The beeper of lever-forks ii are of such diameter as ,to extend radially beyond the inner circumferential margins of the side plates 88 and over. immediately adjacent regions of the latter, and positioned between the lever-arm hubs and the sideplates 88 are respective annular elastic rubber gaskets 82 that serve to exclude dirt from theinterior of the shock absorber. The. gaskets 82 preferably are arcuate in transverse section as shown,- and may have their convex faces covered with lubricated friction material 68. This embodiment of the invention functions in the same manner as the embodiment previously described and possesses all the advantages of the same. p In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 7, the relatively movable part that is attached to the vehicle frame comprises a pair of side plates. 85, 88 that are circular in plan and are united with each other at their perimeters, as bythe welding 81. The plates 85, 66 are cupshaped and are disposed in nested relation, but are axially spaced from each other to receive the other relatively movable part of the device, which device is connected to the rimning gear of the vehicle. The side plate 85 is disposed on the concave side of the fabricated structure, and has an imperforate axial portion that is flatand disposed normal to the axis of the device. The plate 66 is disposed on the convex side of the fabricated structure, is annular, and has its inner circumferential region formed with a circumferential,

axially directed flange 68..

Theother relatively movable part of the device comprises a generally cup-shaped metal disc III that is disposed between the side plates 65, 6B,

concentrically thereof, said disc having a flat axial portion that is disposed parallel to the flat axial portion of the plate 85, and is in substantially the same plane as the margin of the flange 88 of plate 68. The perimeter and both lateral faces of the disc Ill, except for the net axial region thereof, have a layer of resilient rubber composition ll vulcanized thereto, said rubber layer comprising a facing 12 of lubricated friction material that bears against the confronting faces of the side plates 65, and produces. the friction that resists relative angular movement of the relatively movable parts of the shock absorber. The surface of the friction-faced rubber layer Ii may be formed with one or more concentric recesses 13 to receive a supply of lubricant for the friction facirigs'll.

Secured to the flat axial portion of the disc 10, on the outwardly presented side thereof, isa metal disc 14 that is disposed concentrically thereof and is attached thereto by spot weld ing or. the like. The disc 14 extends radially beyond the margin of the flange 68, and has its perimeter formed with a circumferential flange 15 that extends laterally toward the adjacentside of the side plate 65. Confined between the disc I4 and the side plate 66 is a ring of resilient rubber. composition 18 that has a facing 01' lubricated friction mat rrial ll vulcanized thereto, which facing engages the confronting faces of the disc II and its flange 15. Preferably the rubber ring is vulcanized to the side plate 66 soas to 'be capable of movement relatively of the disc during operation of the device. Both the rubber ring'li and rubber layer I l' are placed under compressive stress by the assembly of the several plates and discs, whereby determinate friction between the rubber struclever arm being shown at 18, Figure 7. The said hub of the lever arm is non-rotatably secured to a spindle I8 and the latter is secured to the discs II, II at the axis thereof. The arrangement is such that oscillation of the lever arm effects angular movement of the discs 10, I4 relatively of the plates 88, 88 which movement is frictionally resisted by the friction-faced rubber structures H and 18. The latter also serves to exclude dirt and grit from the interior of the device.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure- 8, the relatively movable part that is attached to the frame of the vehicle comprises a pair of side plates 88, 84 that are circular in plan,

ferential portion formed with an axially outwardly extending flange 81 the marginal portion of which is turned axially inwardly at 88 for a purpose presently to be explained. The medial region of the plate N is formed with an axial boss 89 that extends laterally through the opening defined by the flange 86 of plate 83, the end face of said boss being flat and disposed in a plane slightly beyond the plane of the inturned margin of the flange 88. Preferably the boss 88 is polygonal in transverse section, and has its peripheral surface covered with a friction-faced layer, of resilient rubber composition 90 that is vulcanized thereto, the peripheral surface ,of the latter being truly cylindrical in shape. Also Vulcanized to the confronting lateral faces of the plates 88, 84 are respective friction-faced layers of rubber composition H, 82, the frictional faces of which confront each other and are formed with recesses 88, 98 for storing lubricant for the facing material.

The relatively movable portion of this embodiment of the invention that is connected to the running gear of the vehicle comprises an imperforate circular disc that is formed with an axial boss" that is concentric with relation to the cylindrical rubber facing of the boss 89 of plate 84. The boss 96 fits tightly over said fac ng so that the latter frictionally engages the concave surface of the boss. The plane portion of the disc isv disposed between the friction facings of the rubber structures ill, 92 of the plates 83, 84, and tightly gripped by said rubber structures so that oscillating movement of the dis: relatively of said structures frictionally is resisted. Confined between the flange '81 and the boss 88 is a resilient rubber ring 91 that has friction facing on the side that engages the boss 96. The ring 91 is urged againstthe inner periphera region of the facing 91 and is retained in position at all times by the inturned margin 88 of the plate-flange 81. The primary purpose of the ring 8'! is to exclude dust and dirt from-the interior is connected to the runninggear of a vehicle, in the same manner as in the. previously described embodiments. of the invention, said hubportion being formed with a laterally extending marginal flange I that circumscribes the plate-flange 31 and additionally provides for the exclusion of an inturned, reversely curved flange I", which flanges are laterally spaced apart from each other. The plates I03 are attached to the frame 'of the vehicle in any desired manner.

The relatively movable portion of the shock absorber that is connected to the running gear of a vehicle comprises a pair of imperforate metal discs I01, I01. that are mounted between the plates I03 and concentrically of the latter, said plates being permanently united with each other in face to face relation, preferably by spot welding. At their perimeters the plates I01 are formed with respective marginal flanges I03, which flanges are directed laterally away from each other; Vulcanized to the peripheral surface of the flanges I03 is' a circumferential body of resilient rubber composition I09 having a facing of lubricated friction material I I0, the latter being yieldingly urged by the rubber I09 into frictional engagement with the confronting surfaces of the flanges I04 of plates I03. The lateral faces of the discs I01, between the flanges I00 thereon and the flanges I06 of plates I03, have respective concentric annular bodies of resilient rubber III vulcanized thereto, which bodies have lubricated friction facings I I2 thereon, the latter being frictionally engaged with the confronting surfaces of the side plates I03,

For oscillating the discs I01, a lever arm is connected to the running gear of a vehicle in the manner previously described, said lever arm having a forked hub portion comprising members I I 4, H4 that straddle the shock absorber proper and are permanently secured to the discs I01 as by spot welding. The hub portions I I4 are formed with respective annular, transversely arcuate flanges II! that are concentric with the axis of the shock absorber and overlie the respective flanges I06 of the side plates I03. The flanges I08 have respective annular rubber gaskets IIO bonded thereto and covering the margins thereof, said gaskets being provided with facings of lubricated friction material II1 that frictionally engage the adjacent surfaces of the discs I01 and the lever-flanges IIS, thereby excluding grit and dirt from the operative elements of the shock absorber.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 10, the relatively movable structure that is attached to the frame of the vehicle comprises a pair of annular, concentric side plates I 20, I20, each of which is arcuate or dished in transverse section, the said plates being secured to each other at their perimeter-s, as by the welding I2I, with their concave faces confronting each other to provide an lntemal chamber. The fabricated structure is of torous shape, its internal chamber being open to the axial opening of the structure 2,854,428 welding. to the has portion a of a lever arm that byreas'on of the innercircumferential margins of the plates I20 standing somewhat apart from each other.

Therelatively movable portion of the structure'that is connected to the running gear of the vehicle comprises a circular metal disc I23 that is disposed between the plates I20 and formed with a plurality of apertures I24 adjacent its perimeter.- Vulcanized to the peripheral region of the disc I23 is a body of resilient rubber composition I20 having a facing of lubricated friction material I20 thereon, said rubber body being disposed upon both lateral faces and over the peripheral margin of the disc, the friction facing on the rubber body being yleldingly urged by the latter into engagement with the confronting surfaces of the plates I20. The disc I23 is oscillated by means of a lever arm having a forked hub comprising. hub-portions I21, I21 that straddle the shock absorber proper and are pennanently secured to the axial region of the disc I23, on opposite sides thereof, by being welded thereto. The hub portions I21 of the lever-arm are formed with respective annular, transversely arcuate, flanges I20 that are concentric with the axis of the shock absorber and overlie the respective inner circumferential margins of the plates I20. Confined between the flanges I20 and the adjacent faces of the plates I20 are respective annular rubber gaskets I23 that exclude dirt .and'grit from the interior of the shock absorber.

The gaskets may have a friction facing I30 on the sides thereof that are in contact with the flanges I23, substantially as shown.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in' similar to the side plates I23 of the embodiment shown in Figure 10, said plates differing from the latter inthe shape of their inner circumferential regions, which regions are formed with respective, circumferential ribs I33 that are angular in transverse section and present their concave surfaces toward each other, The relatively movable portion of the structure. that is connected to the running gear of the vehicle comprises a metal disc I34 that is disposed between the lates I32, in spaced relation thereto. A body of resilient rubber I3! is vulcanized to the perimeter and opposite lateral faces of the disc I34 in the region thereof that lies between the plates I32, radially outwardly of the ribs I33, said rubber body havinga lubricated friction facing I 36 vulcanized thereto, said facing frictionally engaging the. confronting faces of the plates I32. Annular rubber gaskets I31, I31 that are angular in section are mounted within the concavities of the respective ribs I33, said gaskets also engaging the respective faces of the disc I34 to exclude dirt and grit from the shock absorber. The disc I34 is oscillated by means of a lever arm having a forked hub comprising hub portions I33, I33 that straddle the shock absorber proper and are secured to the disc I34, on opposite sides of the axial region thereof, in any suitable or desired manner, such as by means of the rivets I30 shown.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 12, the relatively movable structure that is connected to the running gear of the vehicle comprises a pair of imperforate side plates I42, I42 that are secured together at their medial regions by rivets I43, I43 or the like. Radially outwardly of said medial regions, and concenframe of the vehicle comprises a pair of annular, coaxial. spaced apart plates I'll. I'll that are formed with respective peripheral flanges I" that extend towardeach other and are united at their margins by welding I. The remaining portions of the plates are disposed in parallel planes except the inner circumferential marginal por-' tions m, I'll, which are turned inwardly toward each other. The relatively movable structure that is connected to the running gear of the vehicle comprises a pair of imperforate metal discs I82, I82. which discs are co-axially disposed with relation to the plates I II and are positioned between the latter. The discs I82 are in laterally abutting relation in their medial region, that is,

radially inwardly of the marginal portions III of the plates ill, but radially outwardly of the region the disc structures are offset,'said offset portions of the discs being disposed in spaced apart rela tion, and in spaced relation to the confronting faces of the plates in. The outer lateral faces of the offset portions of the discs I" have respective bodies of resilient rubber composition I83 vulcanized thereto, said rubber bodies havradially inwardly between the discs "'2, and in the assembled condition of the device is under compressive stress so as to urge the discs apart from each other and thereby to urge the friction facings of rubber bodies l llagainst the confrontlng'lateral faces of the plates Ill. Supplementing the rubber ring III as a means for urging the discs I82 apart is a second rubber ring m that is of smaller diameter than the ring I I5 and is positioned between the discs at the bottom of their offset regions.

For oscillating the discs I82 relatively of the side plates I'll the usual lever arm is provided, which lever arm has a forked hub portion comprising members I, ill that straddle the'shock absorber proper and are secured to the outwardly presented faces of the discs Ill, in the axial region of the-latter, as by spot welding. The portions III are dished as shown, and are formed with outwardly directed marginal flanges III that are concentric with the axis of the device and which overlie the respective flanges. III on the inner circumferential margins of the plates Ill. Annular rubber gaskets Ill, Ill are mounted between the said flanges I, III which gaskets normally are under compressive stress and serve to keep dirt and grit from the of the shockabsorber.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in" Figure 16, the portion of the structure that'is attached to the frame of the vehicle comprises a pair of annular side plates as, m thatare essentially similar to the side plates Ill of Figure 15 except that the flanges ill at their innercircumferential margins extend closer to the central plane :of the device: Vulcanized to the'confront ing faces of the plates Ill, at the juncture of the" latter with respective flanges III, are respective circumferential bodies of resilient rubber composition t." ,Similar circumferential bodies Ill interior that has a facing of lubricated friction material 2" bonded thereto. a

- That portion of the device that is connected to the running-gear of the 'vehiclecomprises an imperforate metal disc 202. that is centrally-disposed between the plates ill, co-axialiy thereof, The arrangement is such that the friction facings 20" engage opposite faces of the 2.2, the rubberbodies ill, "I being underj appreciable compressive stress in the operative device so as to urge said'facings 2lllinto strong frictional engagement with the faces of the disc. For oscillating the disc 20: relatively of the side plates ill, the usual lever arm is provided, which lever arm is connected at one end tothe running gear of the vehicle in the manner hereinbefore described. At its other end the lever arm is formed with a forked hub portion comprising portions 203, 203 that straddle the shock absorber proper and are secured to opposite lateral faces of the disc 202, in the medial region thereof, as by being sD t welded thereto. The hub portions are dished, as shown, and are formed with respective outwardly directed marginal flanges 204 that extend radially slightly beyond the flanges III of the plates I", and laterally thereof. The flanges I and adjacent dished portionsof the hubs Illv engagerubber bodies 205 to the plateflanges Ill, which rubber bodies have facings of lubricated frictional material 2.8- in. frictional contact with-the confronting circumferential por- -tions of the hub structures Ill. The arrangement is such as to'exclude dirt and grit from the interior of the shock absorber.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1'! in most respects is-similar to the embodiment shown in Figure .13 and hereinbefore and function to the discs Ill of-the Previously described device, said discs normally being urged apart fromeach other by a co-axially disposed ring of rubber I that is interposed between the discs inthe region thereof where the latter have their outwardly directed faces covered with friction-faced rubber structures. The spring Iii shown inl 'igure 13 is omittedwfrom the device shown in Figure 17.

All of the shock absorber constructions described function by reason'of relative angular movement between two frictionally engaged surfaces, andail achieve the several advantages'set forth in foregoing statement of objects. It

understood that the rubber cushions u and abutments 83 shown in Figures i to 3 of the deforming stress.

{drawings may be'provided in all of the embodimentis shown. whereby extreme relative movement of the frictionally engaged members is opposed by the resistance of a rubber body so .to

Other modiflcationsmay be resorted to-wit hout departing from the spirit of the invention or the scopethereof as deflned by the appended claims.

aromas What is claimed is:

i. In a shock absorber of the character described, the combination of a pair of spacedapart, co-axial plates permanently secured to each other at a circumferential margin thereof to produce a unitary structure, a disc-like structure having a portion disposed between said plates co-axially thereof, means for effecting relative oscillatory movement of said plates and the intermediate disc-like-structure, a body of'normally compressed resilient rubber composition vulcanized to one of said relatively movable structures, and a facing of permanently lubricated friction material bonded to said rubber body and urged thereby into frictional engagement with the confronting face of the other relatively movable structure.

back of said plates having an annular groove formed therein, flanges of said plates in assembled relation being extended into said housing with said fabric being urged against the inner surface of the walls of said housing thereby compressing said ring, a lubricating material disposed in and thoroughly saturating said fabric,

2. A shock absorber of the class described comprising an annular housing having an annular cavity therein and being adapted to be fixed to the chassis of an automobile, an oscillating hub member mounted concentrically in said housing, said hub member being formed of a pair of circular plates said plates being formed with a dished central portion and having peripheral flanges, the radial outer portion of said flanges being formed into annular grooves concentric with the axis of said plates, a substantial thickness of rubber vulcanized to the back of said plates and extending from the area of the edge of the dished portion of said plates to the peripheral edges thereof, said rubber having an outer surface layer of friction fabric permanently attached thereto, said grooves and dished portions gar-1g on the same side of said plates, said plates g adapted to be assembled in face-to-face relation whereby said hub is formed and said grooves cooperate to form an annular cavity in theperipheral portion of said hub, a ring formed of rubber mounted in said cavity and extending the length thereof, said ring being of greater normal axial thickness than the axial depth of said cavity whereby-the said ring exerts a force urging said plates apart, said rubber and fabric on the whereby a lubricated frictional contact is made with said housing walls and a reserve of said lubricating medium is accumulated in said groove. 3. A shock absorber of the character described comprising an annular housing having an annular cavity therein and being adapted to be fixed to the chassis of an automobile, an oscillating hub member mounted concentrically in said housing, said hub member being formed of a pair of circular plates, said plates being formed with a dished central portion and having peripheral flanges, the radial outer portion of said flanges being formed into annular grooves concentric with the axis of said plates, a substantial thickness of rubber vulcanized to the back of said plates and extending from-the area of the edge of the dished portion of said plates to the peripheral edges thereof, said rubber having an outer surface layer of friction fabric permanently attached thereto, said grooves and dished portions being on the same side of said plates, said plates being adapted to be assembled in face-to-face relation whereby said hub is formed and said grooves cooperate to form an annular cavity in the peripheral portion of said hub, an annular groove formed in said fabric surface, said flanges in assembled relation being extended into said housing with said fabric being urged against the inner surface of the walls of said housing by the resiliency of said rubber, a lubricating material disposed in and thoroughly saturating said fabric, whereby a lubricated frictional contact is made with said housing walls and a reserve of said lubricating medium is accumulated in said CIOOVE- CURT SAURER. 

